Superposition Stationary Waves

1.

Explain the differences between an undamped progressive transverse wave and a stationary
transverse wave, in terms of (i) amplitude, (ii) phase and (iii) energy transfer.
(i)
amplitude
progressive wave ........................................................................................................
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stationary wave ...........................................................................................................
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(ii)

phase
progressive wave ........................................................................................................
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stationary wave ...........................................................................................................
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(iii)

energy transfer
progressive wave ........................................................................................................
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stationary wave ...........................................................................................................
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(Total 5 marks)

2.

Stationary waves in air can be demonstrated using a long horizontal tube which contains fine
powder. With a loudspeaker connected to a signal generator positioned at one end of the tube,
stationary waves are formed by reflection of waves from the ends of the tube. The diagram
shows part of the tube in such an arrangement. The powder forms heaps at nodes.
1
Speed of sound waves in air = 340 m s

0 .2 7 m
(a)

Determine
(i)
the wavelength of the waves,
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(ii)

the frequency of vibration of the loudspeaker.

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(2)

(b)

Distinguish between longitudinal waves and transverse waves and state which type of
wave is being generated in the tube.
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(3)

(c)

P and Q are two points in the tube. Compare the motion of air particles at P with the
motion of air particles at Q with reference to
(i)
frequency,
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amplitude,
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phase.
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(ii)
(iii)

(3)
(Total 8 marks)

3.

The graph shows the variation of displacement of the particles with distance along a stationary
transverse wave at time t = 0 when the displacement of the particles is greatest. The period of
the vibrations causing the wave is 0.040 s.
d is p la c e m e n t
/m m
20

Z
W

20

60
40

20

(a)

100
80

120

d is ta n c e /m m

Using the same axes,

(i)
draw the appearance of the wave at t = 0.010 s, labelling this graph B,
(ii) draw the appearance of the wave at t = 0.020 s, labelling this graph C,
(iii) show an antinode labelled A and a node labelled N.
(3)

(b)

(i)

Describe the motion of the particle at V, giving its frequency and amplitude.
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(ii)

State the amplitude of the particle at W and its phase relations with the particle at V
and the particle at Z.
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(6)
(Total 9 marks)

4.

m e ta l p la te
d e te c to r
m ovem ent
m ic r o w a v e
tra n s m itte r
A microwave transmitter directs waves towards a metal plate. When a microwave detector is
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moved along a line normal to the transmitter and the plate, it passes through a sequence of
equally spaced maxima and minima of intensity.
(a) Explain how these maxima and minima are formed.
You may be awarded marks for the quality of written communication in your answer.
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(4)

(b)

The detector is placed at a position where the intensity is a minimum. When it is moved a
distance of 144 mm it passes through nine maxima and reaches the ninth minimum from
the starting point.
Calculate
(i)
the wavelength of the microwaves,
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(ii)

the frequency of the microwave transmitter.

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(3)
(Total 7 marks)

5.

(a)

State the conditions that are necessary for the formation of a stationary wave.
You may be awarded marks for the quality of written communication provided in your
answer.
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(2)

(b)
P

1 .2 0 m
Figure 1
The diagram represents a stationary wave on a stretched string. The continuous line
shows the position of the string at a particular instant when the displacement is a
maximum. P and S are the fixed ends of the string. Q and R are the positions of the nodes.
1
The speed of waves on the string is 200 m s .
(i)

State the wavelength of the waves on the string.

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(ii) Calculate the frequency of vibration.
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(iii) Draw on the diagram the position of the string 3.0 ms later than the position shown.
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Explain below how you arrive at your answer.

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(5)
(Total 7 marks)

6.

(a)

The diagram below shows an arrangement used to investigate the properties of

microwaves.

tr a n s m itte r
re c e iv e r
When the transmitter T was rotated through 90 about the straight line XY, the receiver
signal decreased to zero. Explain why this happened and state the property of microwaves
responsible for this effect.
You may be awarded marks for the quality of written communication in your answer.
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(3)

(b)

A microwave oven produces microwaves of wavelength 0.12 m in air.

(i)
Calculate the frequency of these microwaves.
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(ii)

In a certain oven, explain why food heated in a fixed position in this oven would be
uncooked at certain points if stationary waves were allowed to form.
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(3)
(Total 6 marks)

7.

(a)

Optical interference effects can be observed by the superposition of light waves from
coherent sources. Explain the meanings of the words in italics.
superposition ..............................................................................................................
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coherent .....................................................................................................................
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(b)

A laser, emitting light, is used to illuminate two parallel slits, giving coherent sources.
(i)
Interference takes place where light beams from the two slits overlap.
With the aid of a diagram, explain how this overlap is produced.

(2)

(ii)

State and explain what two changes you would expect in the fringe system if each
of the slits were made narrower, but their separation were kept the same.
change 1 ...........................................................................................................
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change 2 ...........................................................................................................
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(4)
(Total 6 marks)

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